Applicable Regulations

In the United States, over the last decade, the oil and gas extraction industry has expanded. With this expansion, federal agencies have recognized the need to take more proactive measures to protect the safety and health of the increased numbers of workers in this industry. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the agency responsible for the safety and health of workers involved in upstream oil and gas operations. Employers must follow OSHA's General Industry standards (29 CFR 1910). Oil and gas extraction industry employers must also follow federal and state regulations that apply to different elements of their operations. For example, employers must comply with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations that govern highway vehicles and chemical transport.

In addition to the increased focus that OSHA has directed toward the oil and gas extraction industry, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has made this industry its primary focus in recent years. NIOSH is the federal agency responsible for conducting research about worker safety and work-related hazard prevention. For example, NIOSH has played a central role in addressing the hazards of silica dust exposure in hydraulic fracturing operations.

To learn more about Oil & Gas Extraction visit our Oil & Gas Extraction Safety Online Training web page.